Insist that businesses abide by the law

I know that our area wants to bring in more industry, but do we really want companies like Iridium who flout our laws and treat their workers so poorly?

Using illegal immigrants is only the tip of the iceberg. Pennsylvania is an employment "at will" state, which means that you work at the will of the employer — they can fire you at any time for no reason.

I have worked with local job seekers for over eight years, and have seen countless examples of employers who did not deliver the number of jobs or the caliber of jobs they guaranteed up front. Many times employees would be let go just before they were eligible for health benefits, or undergo some sort of medical treatment, or fired while they were out on medical leave.

I hope that the upcoming investigation will not only look into the employment of illegal workers, but the inhumane treatment of all workers in our area.

It is time that local employers step up to the plate and realize that they will have a more productive workforce when they treat employees with respect.

I am also calling on all those involved in economic and workforce development to stop looking the other way and insist that anyone who wants to do business in the Poconos handle their business in a reputable and lawful fashion.

kATHY lARRABEE

East Stroudsburg

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